The latest on California politics and government

September 6, 2012

VIDEO: Dan Walters says it'll be tough for California Democrats to pick up enough GOP House seats in November to help make Nancy Pelosi speaker again. Find his latest report at this link.

Today's the last day of the Democratic National Convention, with President Barack Obama addressing convention-goers tonight in North Carolina.

Obama decided Wednesday to move his acceptance speech indoors, given the rainy weather lately in Charlotte, rather than at a football stadium capable of accommodating thousands more spectators.

The president also told his fellow Democrats to change their party platform to mention God and declare Jerusalem to be Israel's capital. (Political comedians might link the rain in Charlotte to God's temporary absence from the platform, but Capitol Alert isn't going there.)

Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, the convention chairman, called three times for a vote on those amendments before declaring that they had passed. Republicans had criticized Democrats for omitting a reference to God and deleting the stance on Jerusalem.

Others scheduled to speak at the convention arena today include Vice President Joe Biden and his wife, Jill Biden.

Back in Sacramento, Capitol denizens can head over to the Robert T. Matsui Gallery at City Hall to view an exhibit of political cartoons drawn by The Bee's late cartoonist, Rex Babin. Hosted by the Sacramento Metropolitan Arts Commission, the exhibit runs through Oct. 31. There's also an opening reception today from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Find it at the north entrance, 915 I St.